Boryung announced on June 2 that it has finalized its acquisition of the global business rights for the anticancer drug Taxotere (generic name docetaxel) from Sanofi and has commenced global sales. Revenue from this product will be reflected in Boryung's financial results starting this month.
Taxotere is an original cytotoxic anticancer drug containing docetaxel, widely used for various cancers including breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, prostate cancer, gastric cancer, and head and neck cancer, serving as both neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy as well as first-line treatment for metastatic and progressive cancers. It is also a key drug in combination therapies with immuno-oncology and targeted therapies, and its active ingredient is listed on the World Health Organization's essential medicines list. In 2024, Taxotere generated sales of 70 million euros (approximately 115.4 billion won) globally.
Through this acquisition, Boryung has secured comprehensive global business rights for Taxotere, including distribution, licensing, production, and trademark rights across 19 countries and regions, including South Korea, China, Germany, Spain, South America, and the Middle East. The final contract value is approximately 170 million euros (about 279.6 billion won).
A Boryung official stated, "During the contract negotiation last year, we adjusted the transaction amount based on the inventory status in each country, resulting in a reduction of about 5 million euros from the initially agreed maximum of 175 million euros."
This marks the first time a South Korean pharmaceutical company has acquired the global business rights for an original anticancer drug from a major global pharmaceutical firm and is now directly engaged in global sales. Boryung previously acquired the domestic businesses for Gemzar and Alimta and plans to expand its global operations in cytotoxic anticancer drugs through this contract.
Kim Sung-jin, Chief Strategy Officer of Boryung, emphasized, "With the completion of this acquisition, we have established our name in the global anticancer drug supply chain and will continue to expand our position as a major global supplier using Taxotere as a stepping stone."
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.